Magic Theory Lab (3)

Riding the elevator, we were led to a lab on the second floor. Next to the lab door was a touch panel displaying the weather, and Samantha began imputing what looked to be an identification number into it. The door’s red light changed to green, and with a sound, it slid open.

Perhaps the building’ heating system was operational, as the place was filled with a lukewarm air, but a pleasantly cool current leaked out of Chief Researcher Samantha’s laboratory, making me shake for a moment.

“Ah, sorry. My lab is set a little colder than other peoples’”

“I-is that so?”

“Yes, because I’m… for now, come in.”

… Say the rest. You’ve made me curious.

Once we reached the second floor, perhaps she was no longer of others’ eyes, as I could hear Jessica following behind with her quick feet as she entered the lab without any particular questions.

“There are a few dangerous chemicals left around here. I don’t want to raise the temperature by much.”

… Does she have any explosives around?

A step into the lab, and I could somewhat grasp the reason. The interior was as lab-like as you’d expect, with wires and cords running orderly along the floor, conneting to all sorts of expensive-looking equipment.

The machines flashed red and green lights, and above one was a beaker full of liquid of peculiar color.

There were a few desks in the lab, but all of them had experimental tools placed on them, and finding space to walk around was a bit of a trial.

Looking in the back of the lab, there was a sofa just about big enough for one person to sleep. A pink blanket was crumbled in a corner of it. I’m sure that’s where this skeleton-like woman slept.

“You can take a seat.”

Regardless of her unhealthy body, Samantha proceeded into the depths of the lab with light feet. Looking closely, there was a slight space between the cords extending left and right, and if you tread through them, you’d be able to make your way around well enough.

… It was hard to walk.

As I was put hard to the task, Jessica skipped around the gaps to the lab’s inside, eventually finding a pipe chair, and taking a seat.

“Wow. Um, Professor…”

“Samantha is fine.”

Samantha carried a beaker over to a machine two meters high distilling a black substance. She placed the beaker on it and pushed a red button. From a transparent tube, the black liquid started to glug out, and fill the insides of the beaker.

“It’s coffee.”

Samantha said it as if it were natural. “Young lady, do you want coffee?”

“U-um, I, well, I’m not good with bitter, so coffee’s a bit…”

“Oh, then would you prefer cocoa?”

“Yes! I won’t drink it if it ain’t cocoa.”

There, Samantha produced a new beaker from her equipment, and placed it on the machine. She pressed a different from before